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Looking at this picture borrowed from Nick's guide pages, there is a definite difference between the early version with bonnet decal and the later version with paper label.
The model on the left has a distinct Creamy tint to it, whereas the model on the right has a Blue-Grey tint to it. so I think "MOKOSEX" has managed to get one of these later versions and very nice too!

GHOSTHUNTER.

MOKOSEX wrote:

SMS88 wrote:There is no reason why the grey Mercury couldnt actually be a colour trial for paper stickers before they were ok´d for mass production -does it have any early casting features on the baseplate or chisel cut rivits? Gold wheel could be a varnished standard one unless plating looks as smooth as the the normal hubs

I have no explaination for the wheel being gold,the base is bare metal.it doesn,t have the silver sheen standard cars have or the amount of overspray on the inside.No casting variations i can see.

the ´´1968 Mercury´´ legend on the baseplate is so hard to find that I have never ever found one on either this or the #73 but they are out there, a bit like those #35 Merryweather pre-pro sil variations that pop up occasionally on ebay finished as standard models. The lack of chemical plating to the baseplate is a sign consistent with parts taken for use by Jack Odell´s R & D - we know that these are extremely rare on production models prior to 1976 and the Two Pack range. Does this pale grey match the shade of the Tippax back end?? If so this is a known shade for #24 Rolls colour trial.

SMS88 wrote:

MOKOSEX wrote:

SMS88 wrote:There is no reason why the grey Mercury couldnt actually be a colour trial for paper stickers before they were ok´d for mass production -does it have any early casting features on the baseplate or chisel cut rivits? Gold wheel could be a varnished standard one unless plating looks as smooth as the the normal hubs

I have no explaination for the wheel being gold,the base is bare metal.it doesn,t have the silver sheen standard cars have or the amount of overspray on the inside.No casting variations i can see.

the ´´1968 Mercury´´ legend on the baseplate is so hard to find that I have never ever found one on either this or the #73 but they are out there, a bit like those #35 Merryweather pre-pro sil variations that pop up occasionally on ebay finished as standard models. The lack of chemical plating to the baseplate is a sign consistent with parts taken for use by Jack Odell´s R & D - we know that these are extremely rare on production models prior to 1976 and the Two Pack range. Does this pale grey match the shade of the Tippax back end?? If so this is a known shade for #24 Rolls colour trial.

The car is lighter than the grey on the tippax

Congrats Dave on all your Stacys wins
This RW Mercury color-trial in Dove Blue is a superb win! The price was a steal too at the start of this auction as with most auctions.Finding it with the early 1968 Mercury base was the cherry on the top.
Enjoy,
numi

numi wrote:Congrats Dave on all your Stacys wins
This RW Mercury color-trial in Dove Blue is a superb win! The price was a steal too at the start of this auction as with most auctions.Finding it with the early 1968 Mercury base was the cherry on the top.
Enjoy,
numi

I think you are totally correct about the price,being lot 2 and it not being really obvious i got it cheap,if this was a bit later in the sale i think it would have doubled
dave

Hi Dave, Your Mercury looks like it has an unpainted or bare mazac baseplate, if it does it is undoubtedly a genuine pre pro.

hi nick ,yes the base is unplated so glad the odds of itlooking good are stacking up,in the hand the differences are obvious,
last wednesday stacey had their latest sale and there was some more pre pros in it ,i could only see one regular wheel which i won,its from the peter smith collection so fingers crossed,it wasn,t expensive and when it comes it will go well with my colour trail 8 wheeler.

MOKOSEX wrote:hi nick ,yes the base is unplated so glad the odds of itlooking good are stacking up,in the hand the differences are obvious,
last wednesday stacey had their latest sale and there was some more pre pros in it ,i could only see one regular wheel which i won,its from the peter smith collection so fingers crossed,it wasn,t expensive and when it comes it will go well with my colour trail 8 wheeler.

Mmmnn potential boom swap??? Good luck MOKOSEX!!!

motorman wrote:

MOKOSEX wrote:hi nick ,yes the base is unplated so glad the odds of itlooking good are stacking up,in the hand the differences are obvious,
last wednesday stacey had their latest sale and there was some more pre pros in it ,i could only see one regular wheel which i won,its from the peter smith collection so fingers crossed,it wasn,t expensive and when it comes it will go well with my colour trail 8 wheeler.

Mmmnn potential boom swap??? Good luck MOKOSEX!!!

Anything is a possiblity,but i don,t think its just a boom swop because it has crimped axles,maybe a repaint of some sort